Even with Phillips out, Giants hope to bottle up RGIII

Before they held Aaron Rodgers and the Packers to one long first-quarter touchdown throw last week, the Giants were ranked No.2 in the NFL in allowing the most plays over 20 yards with 41.

It was no secret to defensive coordinator Perry Fewell or the players who make up his secondary why that ranking was so high.

Plain and simple, the Giants were having far too many coverage breakdowns. Long passes were being completed over them and longer runs were being run against them.

So the back seven of the Giants defense decided it was time for a players-only meeting. So they held one each day after practice — defensive backs and linebackers only — to prepare for Monday’s game at FedEx Field and the Redskins’ Robert Griffin III — the most elusive quarterback in the league.

“The purpose,” explained Prince Amukamara, “was to make sure all of us are on the same page. That’s what you have to do when you’re getting ready for teams like this (Redskins).”

The 7-4 Giants know they need to come out of Monday with their lead in the NFC East up to three games with four to play. They can do that with a win over the Redskins, a team they needed to complete a 77-yard touchdown pass against with 1:13 left to win in their first meeting, on Oct. 21.

The Giants’ secondary will be short-handed, with Kenny Phillips not expected to play after he reinjured his ankle Friday. Phillips had played for the first time in six weeks against the Packers and graded out well.

While the Giants won’t have Phillips for the second time against the Redskins, Washington should have one of its best receivers — Pierre Garcon — back after he sat out the first game.

Defensive coordinator Perry Fewell isn’t sure if he’ll be able to mix and match his dfensive players tonight. He knows he has to find a way to keep RGIII from beating the G-Men.

“We work together, the back end with the front,” said linebacker Michael Boley. “Us playing our coverage definitely allowed those guys at times to get pressure and vice versa. Them getting pressure allowed us to do better in our coverage.”

The Giants’ three-safety look was effective against Rodgers and the Packers. Without Phillips, will it work the same against RGIII and the Redskins?

“You’ll have to wait and see,” said Fewell. “They are a good team. We’ll need to try a few things and hope they all work.”